Back with another chapter. Didn't forget, just had the time to update now
Almost a week passed, and the new couple still had to tell everyone about their relationship. No one, except for Rachel, knew what was happening in the core of their very own group of friends. And every day, Rachel would ensure she reminded her friends of that.
"So, when are you guys going to tell everyone else?" Rachel asked one morning when just the three of them were having breakfast at her apartment.
"We… We're not ready to tell everyone else yet," Monica answered her friend while nibbling on her toast. It was the most she had managed to eat in the past few mornings.
"Well… I don't know for how much longer I can keep your secret. It drives me crazy having to play along when everyone else is asking questions, to pretend I'm curious too," Rachel explained. Then she turned to Chandler with a sympathetic look. "I don't know how you can do it."
Chandler looked between the two girls.
"I just have to. I don't want to act suspicious and make everyone find out in the worst way possible. I want Monica to be the one to tell them," He answered, looking at Rachel. Then, he turned to Monica, who sat on his lap. "But Rachel's right, honey. We will have to tell them sooner or later, and the sooner we do it, the sooner the questioning will stop," He added tenderly.
Monica looked at Chandler with a rather unpleased look. Although she knew he was right, she was afraid their friend could somehow sabotage their still-developing relationship.
"We'll discuss it later," Was all Monica said. She knew her friends were right. But at the same time, she didn't want to end the secrecy phase of their relationship just yet. Everything between her and her best friend had changed in the past week. They had already built a foundation. But was it strong enough to hold against their friend's indubitable questioning that would follow the news? Monica had to think a bit more about the subject.
"Bye! Gotta go, I'm late for work," Rachel announced, grabbing her purse from the hanger and closing the door behind her. That was Monica's cue to also get up.
"I'm going to change too," She announced, already on the way to the bedroom.
Chandler followed Monica and sat by the end of the bed while Monica chose her clothes for the day from her wardrobe. Once the clothes were chosen, Monica laid the green dress on the bed.
She was about to get ready to undress when she suddenly became very aware of the presence of someone else in the room. Given the new shift in their relationship, she felt a bit awkward to undress her shirt in front of Chandler, as ridiculous as it seemed. Chandler seemed to notice.
"Hey. Do you want me to leave?" He asked as soon as he realized Monica's discomfort.
But his offer didn't seem right. Monica shouldn't be embarrassed to be seen in her underwear by Chandler. He was her boyfriend. And the father of her babies.
"No. You can stay. I don't even know why this feels weird," Monica decided. After all, she sensed it wouldn't be the last time such a thing would happen.
So, slowly, Monica undressed herself, aware of the stare of her boyfriend, which made a slight blush appear on her cheeks.
"You're just perfect," the referred boyfriend murmured when she looked at him, which made Monica blush.
She couldn't remember ever seeing the look in Chandler's eyes. It was pure adoration, which she'd already seen before, but this time, mixed with lust and want for her. She knew she used to have that effect on boys, but knowing she had it on Chandler felt entirely different. But at the same time, it felt thrilling. Because she knew he wanted her for so much more than her body. She trusted him to see her in this state more than anyone else she could think about. Even previous boyfriends and lovers.
She turned to the mirror, ready to drape the dress over her head. And that was when something caught her attention. Something she hadn't noticed before. It was almost unnoticeable, but she could clearly see it. A tiny bump in her lower belly. Her baby bump.
"Chandler…" She whispered in a low and almost crying voice.
Immediately, Chandler got up from his spot and walked next to her.
"What happened? What's wrong, Monica?" He asked, worried by Monica's sudden change of mood.
Instead of speaking, Monica took his hand in hers and placed it on her stomach. The touch of his skin against her cold one sent a shiver down her body.
"Can you feel it?" She asked, looking at Chandler in the eyes through the mirror.
"Yeah," He replied with amazement.
"I still can't believe this is really happening," She whispered while a tear streamed down her face.
"God, you look so beautiful right now," Chandler mumbled against her neck, his hand still resting on the baby bump. And something about the gesture and the intimacy of the situation woke in Monica a desire she didn't know she could feel.
"Say it while it's true. Before you notice it, my belly will be huge, and I'll be fat and ugly," Monica giggled.
"That's not true. You'll always be beautiful. And you won't be ugly and fat. You'll be glowing, just like you're now," Chandler said, turning Monica in his arms so she was facing him. With his arms holding her waist, Monica laced her arms around his neck.
She looked deep into Chandler's baby blue eyes and only saw honesty. What had she done to deserve such a caring man in her life? She couldn't think of an answer, so she slowly leaned in, hoping the passion in her kiss would be enough for him to understand how moved she was by his words. The kiss ended, but their gazes stayed fixated on each other's.
"Can I?" Chandler broke the silence, lightly squeezing Monica's stomach with his thumbs.
She couldn't deny him anything and just nodded her head. It still amazed her how much maturity he had shown the past week. He had really changed for the baby. Changed for her. And it increased the hope in her heart that, somehow, she could have all she'd ever dreamed of with the men in front of her.
Slowly, to not break the mood that had settled in the room, Chandler knelt down until he was facing the baby bump.
"That's our babies right there. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but I already love them so much," He said before kissing Monica's bare stomach. The contact of his lips with her skin further ignited the fire that burned in her stomach. And when Chandler rose up, Monica took his face in her hands.
"I'm so lucky to have you," She whispered before kissing him with all the passion she could muster. Contrary to the kisses they'd shared since the night they'd admitted their feelings for each other, the kiss didn't soften. Instead, it became increasingly more intense. Finally, losing the fears she'd had only until a few moments before, Monica guided Chandler towards her bed, completely ready to embrace a new step in their relationship. And this time, she intended for him to remember what she would remember as their first time together.
With the foundation of their relationship proven solid enough to endure their friends' meddling, Chandler and Monica decided to tell everyone else in the group what was happening between them. It was Friday night, and Monica decided to organize a movie night at her house. That way, she had a reason to bring the whole group together without raising suspicion before time. After the meal, everyone moved to their usual seats in the living room for casual chatting.
It was the moment. Sensing Monica's thoughts, Chandler squeezed the hand they'd been discretely holding under the blanket, confirming that he also felt it was the ideal moment. Monica glanced around their group, and her eyes caught Rachel's. Her best friend apparently noticed what would happen because she gave Monica and Chandler a discreet smile and a silent nod, showing her support for them.
With one quick encouraging squeeze from Chandler, Monica rose from her seat and caught her friends' attention before the moment would be lost.
"Everyone," She started with the steadiest voice she could find amongst her nerves. "I want to tell you something."
Immediately, five pairs of eyes turned to her.
"What's with the nerves, Mon?" Phoebe interrupted. "It can't be something huger than you having a baby, right?"
"Well…" Monica hummed, not sure what to answer. It was indeed something greater.
"First, I want you to know that I found at the ultrasound appointment that I'm having twins," She started.
"Twins? As in two babies?!" Rachel immediately exclaimed in shock.
Guess they forgot to tell her part of the secret, Monica thought.
"So, that means I'll have two nephews? Or nieces?" Ross asked next.
"Oh my god! I knew I was feeling some familiar vibes from you! Now, I know! It must be the twin's energy!" Phoebe added.
Monica could see that everyone was happy with the news, which filled her with happiness. However, some nervousness still lingered on her body as she hadn't yet told the big news.
Once again, Rachel seemed to sense Monica's thoughts.
"You said "First,"" Is there anything else?" Rachel asked, taking everyone's attention off the former reveal.
"Yes, there is one more thing," Monica started, feeling the nerves growing again.
"I decided that it's time for you to know who the father of the babies is," She announced, searching for Rachel's or Chandler's comforting eyes amongst her friends.
"Finally! I want to see the guy responsible for that recent pinkish tone of your aura," Phoebe exclaimed excitedly.
"What? It's true! Your aura has been turning pink-purplish since last week. Those are the colors for when you're in love or in a relationship," Phoebe explained. Then, she looked around the group until her eyes fell suspiciously on Chandler, who quietly stood by Monica.
"Wait a second!" Phoebe continued. "Your aura has also been turning pinkish since last week!" She exclaimed accusatorily, pointing her finger at Chandler. "No way!" Phoebe exclaimed, clearly shocked by her discovery.
Busted. Monica and Chandler had been busted by nothing less than Phoebe's psychic abilities. It was not how they had planned to tell everyone else, but now the damage had been done.
But apparently, Ross and Joey were too dense to understand what was being revealed.
"Pheebs, we don't care about Chandler's love life! Monica was about to tell us who's the father of her baby!" Ross tried to shut Phoebe down.
"But can't you see it, Ross? The answer is right in front of us! It has been this whole time!" Phoebe exclaimed, pointing at the couple in front of her.
"What do you mean, Phoebe?" Ross asked, uncharacteristically interested in Phoebe's psychic explanations.
"Can't you see, Ross? Monica's been super secretive about the father. And suddenly, both their auras start turning up pinkish!"
For a moment, Ross looked dumbstruck, and Monica could feel the tension growing on her body with each second that Ross spent eyeing her and Chandler. Phoebe finding out had been easy to deal with. What she most feared was her brother's reaction.
"Monica? Is it true?" Ross asked, his voice already raising with anger.
Monica nodded with an apologetic smile at her brother.
"Yeah, Phoebe's right," she admitted to her brother, who immediately tried to jump at Chandler.
"You! I can't believe you did this! That's my sister, man. I thought you had enough consideration for our friendship to not do this!"
"Wait! You knocked Monica up?" Joey suddenly asked, only then understanding everything that was happening.
"Nice...," He added with his usual smirk.
That was the last straw for Monica. She'd thought about how this conversation would go, but she always pictured that her friends would be happy for them. This was turning the exact opposite.
"Okay, everyone, let's calm down!" She yelled, turning all the attention back to her.
"First, Ross, me and Chandler are also grown-ups here. We don't need you to dictate some stupid rules on what we should or should not do just because we are your friends/relatives. And second, Joey, let's not call it 'knock me up'."
Suddenly, Monica felt Chandler's arms wrap around her waist and pull her to him. Then, he proceeded for her.
"Look, guys. I know this happened unexpectedly, but we are both happy and were hoping you would be too. Monica and I are happy with each other, and we've decided to create a family together. And I know, Ross, that nothing was supposed to happen, but it did. We slept together when we shouldn't. But what did you expect me to do? To abandon Monica to raise the kid alone? No. I was part of this from the beginning. I promised Monica I would stick to it till the end. She even made me realize that this is something I want. This is the best relationship I've been in so far, and I don't intend on ever hurting Monica. You have my word."
Chandler finished speaking, and Monica couldn't help but hold tighter onto him. She knew he was sweet and caring, but he'd just defended her in front of everyone else and even dealt with her brother with a calm she would never possess.
"I'm sorry, Chandler," Ross finally spoke, seeing the couple holding onto each other. "And I'm sorry too, Monica. I now see how happy you two are together and how much Chandler is willing to be here with you through this. I'm really happy for you two guys," He finished, approaching Monica and Chandler to involve them in a hug.
"Yes! We are so happy for you two guys!" Phoebe exclaimed and immediately joined the hug. And right after, Rachel and Joey joined it too, just like the day Monica announced she was pregnant, and suddenly everything was fine.
The group hug ended, and Monica looked around to see the happy faces of her closest friend, and happy tears started to stream down her face. And then, she turned and looked straight at Chandler's blue eyes and saw in them a feeling with such depth that made her skip a breath.
"Thank you," She muttered before leaning to kiss him, not caring that their friends were watching them.
Everything was falling into place. Their big secret was out, their friends were happy about them, and Monica couldn't ask for a better person to be right there at her side. The kiss ended, but Monica stayed in Chandler's embrace for a bit longer. There, she felt warm, safe, and, not so strangely, alive. And with one more look at Chandler at that moment, Monica realized that during this whole time, she had been falling in love with him.